Weaverville students place second in the nation in restaurant management competition

WINNING TEAM: A team of students from North Buncombe High School in Weaverville took second place in the management division during the National ProStart Invitiational competition April 27-29, in Providence, Rhode Island. Team members were Logan Carroll, Ashton English, Jake Norconk and Karly Plemmons. Their leader was ProStart educator Amy White.

Press release from North Carolina Hospitality Education Foundation:

RALEIGH, N.C., April 30, 2018 – The North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association’s foundation, the North Carolina Hospitality Education Foundation (NC HEF), is pleased to announce North Buncombe High School from Weaverville, North Carolina, placed second in the management division during the National ProStart Invitational, April 27-29, in Providence, Rhode Island.

The team, consisting of Logan Carroll, Ashton English, Jake Norconk and Karly Plemmons, and lead by ProStart educator Amy White, earned more than $100,000 in scholarship opportunities, presented by the National Restaurant Association, as well as funds from sponsors and esteemed colleges and universities with hospitality or culinary programs across the country.

“This is an impressive victory for these students, and their teacher Ms. White, as they proudly represented our state, showcasing the talent and dedication the future of the hospitality industry holds,” said Lynn Minges, president and CEO of NCRLA and NC HEF. “Thanks to the sponsorship of Golden Corral, and mentorship from industry leaders, honors like this are achievable.”

The student competitors were mentored throughout the year by former NCRLA Chef of the Year, Jesse Roque of the Never Blue in Hendersonville, as well as Dana Pyle of LM Restaurants and Leslie Cunningham of The Mann Group.

In February, North Buncombe High School competed against hundreds of their peers during the annual North Carolina ProStart Competition at Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte, taking home first place in the management category, pushing them through to the national competition. Henderson County Career Academy, from Flat Rock, North Carolina, joined North Buncombe High at the National ProStart Competition, after placing first in North Carolina in the culinary division.

“North Carolina’s hospitality industry is growing at a rapid rate. To address the demand for talent across the state, NCRLA’s philanthropic arm, the North Carolina Hospitality Education Foundation, oversees the ProStart program in more than 40 North Carolina schools. ProStart curriculum prepares the industry’s future leaders for a rewarding career in the restaurant and hospitality industry,” said Minges.

The National ProStart Invitational is the country’s premier competition for high school students who are

studying culinary arts and restaurant management. Annually, the top 400 ProStart students represent

the best-of-the-best from across the globe, putting their knowledge and skills to the test in front of industry leaders, National Restaurant Association Education Foundation (NRAEF) Trustees, state restaurant association executives and top post-secondary schools.

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